Today’s political headlines includes Johnson backing the Veterans Pledge, Hunt Promises to expand navy, 30 whistleblowers to give evidence on Labour antisemitism and May’s last interview.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Johnson backs \u2018Veterans Pledge\u2019 Hunt promises to expand navy 30 whistleblowers to give evidence on Labour antisemitism May gives last interview Prisoners to be given incentives for good behaviour New inquiry calls for action to stop MPs bulling and harassing staff Less than half of Tory members have voted in leadership election Brexiteers demand seats in Johnson\u2019s Cabinet
\n<\/strong>The Sun<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that Boris Johnson has backed its \u2018Veterans Pledge\u2019, promising to pass a new law to end \u2018unfair trials\u2019 of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The pledge also means that he has backed creating an independent veterans department and enshrining the military covenant into law.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Writing<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0The Daily Telegraph<\/em>, Jeremy Hunt claims the Royal Navy has been \u2018run down too much\u2019, and should be \u2018expanded\u2019 to tackle \u2018deeply troubling\u2019 events in the Middle East. He promises to increase the number of warships and carrier-based jets as \u2018boosting our hard power is the surest way to keep Britain respected overseas\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0says<\/a>\u00a0that over 30 whistleblowers, including current staff, are to submit evidence to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) about antisemitism in the Labour Party. Some members of Labour\u2019s National Executive Committee (NEC) are worried that it isn\u2019t doing enough to prepare for the EHRC investigation. Deputy leader Tom Watson has written to general secretary Jennie Formby calling for the party\u2019s submission to the EHRC to be released to the shadow cabinet and the NEC.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Theresa May has given her last\u00a0interview<\/a>\u00a0at 10 Downing Street to the\u00a0Daily Mail<\/em>. Referring to her resignation speech, she tells the paper that \u2018If a male Prime Minister\u2019s voice had broken up, it would have been said \u201cwhat great patriotism, they really love their country\u201d. But if a female Prime Minister does it, it is \u201cwhy is she crying?\u201d.\u2019 She admits that she hadn\u2019t expected Brexiteers to vote against her deal but defends her achievements on modern slavery, plastic waste and mental health.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Times<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0on a new Ministry of Justice policy, which will mean that prison governors can reward prisoners with the ability to lock their own cells, giving them more privacy. Under the new arrangements, prisoners who behave well will also be allowed to cook their own food, shower when they choose, receive higher pay and get cash bonuses.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Guardian<\/em>\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that MPs will vote next week on extending allegations of bullying and harassment by MPs to include historic allegations. This follows yesterday\u2019s publication on an inquiry by Gemma White QC which recommended new employment measures to protect staff better, including details of staff being shouted at, groped, and things thrown at them.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>According<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0The Times<\/em>, less than half of Conservative members have yet returned their leadership ballots, despite there being just over a week left to do so, despite Boris Johnson\u2019s campaign having claimed that two-thirds of members had voted. Jeremy Hunt\u2019s campaign is pleased with the low turnout so far, Hunt having told members to wait until after today\u2019s interviews of the candidates by Andrew Neil before voting.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Sun<\/em>\u00a0claims<\/a>\u00a0Brexiteers are demanding seats in Boris Johnson\u2019s Cabinet, amid concerns he will make minor changes and might not stick to his pledge to leave on 31 October. Steve Baker wants to be Brexit Secretary, while a Eurosceptic expressed concern to the paper about Sajid Javid as Chancellor and Liz Truss as Business Secretary as they voted to remain.<\/p>\n